Brown faces backlash for comments he made about Leave supporters in North

He said the North was far more dependent on trade than the South with 58 per cent of goods in the North East going to the EU compared to 39 per cent in London.

He went on: “Lying behind the popular revolt are huge structural inequalities that the current Government has failed to address.

Gordon Brown announces he is quitting as MP

“We could see discontent turn into anger as standards of living fall and jobs start to go.”

The ex PM told the Fabian Society the growing divide between the North and South could be bridged with extra powers for regions – including controls from Brussels over agriculture and fishing plus extra cash to cover the impact of Brexit.

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He added: “Politically, the strains of Brexit are already showing, as different nations, regions, sectors and companies desperately seek their own opt-outs from a hard Brexit and call for their own a la carte version of Brexit.”

Brit businesswoman Gina Miller after Article 50 ruling today at the High Court